JP4574520B2 - Information processing apparatus, server apparatus, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an information processing apparatus including browsing means for acquiring resource data and displaying a screen corresponding to the data on a display device, and a print control means for controlling print processing, and can communicate with the information processing apparatus The present invention relates to a simple server device, a print control system, and a print control program (printer driver).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printer drivers that display a setting screen for setting printing conditions when printing with a printer on a display device and set printing conditions according to user input are known.

In recent years, with the increase in the number of functions of printers, the number of printing functions has increased, and the setting screen has become complicated. In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620 discloses a printer driver that displays an animation on a setting screen to improve operability. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a printer driver that makes it easy for a user to understand the contents of a print function by displaying an icon representing the print function.
JP 2001-5628 (released on January 12, 2001) JP 2002-182871 (released on June 28, 2002) JP 2004-220487 (released on August 5, 2004)

  By the way, a design screen developer may desire to change a design screen once designed in consideration of user operability and the like. In some cases, the user may want to customize the setting screen according to his / her preference.

  However, in the conventional configuration, all programs for generating and displaying the setting screen are incorporated in the printer driver. Therefore, when changing the setting screen, it is necessary to edit the entire program incorporated in the printer driver, which is very laborious. In particular, when an animation or icon is included in the setting screen, the printer driver becomes enormous, and it becomes more difficult to change the setting screen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is an information processing apparatus, a server apparatus, a print control system, a program, and a recording medium that can easily change a print condition setting screen. Is to realize.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a browsing unit that acquires data from a resource and displays an image indicated by the data on a display device, and a print control unit that controls printing processing. In the information processing apparatus, the print control unit acquires the setting screen data from the storage unit that stores the setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing condition, and acquires the setting screen data. An instruction means for instructing the display device to display the setting screen indicated by the setting screen data is provided.

  Here, the print control means is a functional block realized by a calculation means such as a CPU executing processing according to a printer driver program (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer driver).

  The resource is a hardware resource in the information processing apparatus or a resource on a communication network.

  According to the above configuration, the print control unit acquires the setting screen data from the storage unit that stores the setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing condition for the browsing unit, and acquires the setting. Instruction means for instructing the display device to display the setting screen based on the screen data is provided. That is, the print control unit only instructs the external browsing unit to perform the setting screen display process based on the setting screen data stored in the storage unit.

  For this reason, the printer driver only needs to incorporate a program that defines the operation performed by the instruction means, and does not need to incorporate a program that defines the setting screen display process. As a result, it is not necessary to edit the printer driver itself when changing the setting screen. Therefore, the setting screen can be easily changed.

  The browsing means that instructs the instruction means to display the setting screen on the display device is set according to the content of the setting screen. For example, when the setting screen includes only a still image, the instruction unit may instruct the browsing unit that can display a still image. Further, when the setting screen includes a still image and a moving image, the instructing unit provides a browsing unit capable of displaying the still image and a browsing unit capable of displaying the moving image (or a browsing unit capable of displaying the still image and the moving image). Just point to it. Thus, setting screens of various display formats can be displayed by appropriately setting the browsing means.

  And the function regarding the display which a browsing means has is used from both the said browsing means and a printing control means. In many cases, the browsing means already has a function related to the display. Therefore, it is possible to reduce time and labor for constructing the entire information processing apparatus. For example, when building with a program, programming effort can be reduced, and when building with a circuit, circuit design effort can be reduced.

  Further, the setting screen is displayed by the browsing means based on the setting screen data. Therefore, when changing the setting screen, it is only necessary to edit the setting screen data stored in the storage unit, and there is no need to edit the browsing means itself. Thereby, the setting screen can be changed more easily.

  In general, corresponding to the browsing means, there is an editing means for editing data that can be displayed by the browsing means. As a result, the user can easily edit the setting screen data by the editing means. For example, when the browsing means is a functional block realized by execution of software of a Web browser by a calculation means such as a CPU, data created in a format that can be browsed by the Web browser creates a Web page. It can be easily edited (customized) using general-purpose software.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the browsing unit sets printing conditions based on a user input to the setting screen, and the printing control unit is set by the browsing unit. It is preferable to include a print job generation unit that generates a print job based on the print conditions.

  According to said structure, a browsing means is made to perform the printing condition setting process based on a user input. Then, the print job generation unit acquires the print condition set by the browsing unit, and generates a print job based on the acquired print condition.

  This eliminates the need for the print control means to perform print condition setting processing. In other words, it is not necessary to incorporate a program for defining print condition setting processing into the printer driver, and the printer driver can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention sets the detailed conditions for each of the plurality of printing functions based on a user input to the setting screen, and the print control unit includes: The detailed conditions of each printing function set by the browsing means are acquired, and based on the function restriction table indicating the combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the plurality of printing functions, It is preferable that a determination unit that determines whether there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other, and the browsing unit displays the determination result by the determination unit on the display device.

  According to said structure, a browsing means is made to perform the printing condition setting process based on a user input. This eliminates the need for the print control means to perform print condition setting processing. In other words, it is not necessary to incorporate a program for defining print condition setting processing into the printer driver, and the printer driver can be simplified.

  The determination unit determines whether there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the acquired detailed conditions of each printing function, and causes the display unit to display the determination result on the browsing unit. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not detailed conditions that are mutually compatible among the set printing conditions are set. If detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other are set, the setting can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error from occurring when performing the printing process.

  Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the storage unit is provided in an external server device. Thereby, the information processing apparatus does not need to store the setting screen data. In addition, by simply changing the setting screen data stored in the server device, the setting screen displayed on all the information processing devices that acquire the setting screen data from the server device can be changed. That is, the setting screen displayed on each information processing apparatus can be changed all at once.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus of the present invention may include the storage unit in addition to the above configuration. Thereby, the browsing means can acquire setting screen data from the memory | storage part in the same apparatus. As a result, the time required for the browsing means to acquire the setting screen data can be shortened as compared with the case where the setting screen data is acquired via the communication network. That is, the time until the setting screen is displayed can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes the setting screen data including a plurality of partial data, and the storage unit stores a part of the plurality of partial data. 1 storage part and the 2nd storage part which memorize | stores the remaining partial data may be provided, the said 1st storage part may be provided, and the said 2nd storage part may be provided in the external server apparatus.

  According to said structure, an instruction | indication means is acquired from the 1st memory | storage part in the same apparatus about the partial data which comprise setting screen data with respect to a browsing means, and external part is acquired about the remaining partial data. It is made to acquire from the 2nd memory | storage part in a server apparatus.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus does not need to store all of the setting screen data. Furthermore, since the browsing means can acquire some partial data from the first storage unit in the same device without going through the communication network, the time required for acquiring the setting screen data can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes the setting screen including a moving image, each of a plurality of frame data indicating the moving image is the partial data, and the plurality of frames Of the data, the first storage unit stores the first to predetermined frame data, and the second storage unit stores the remaining frame data.

  According to the above configuration, for the moving image, the browsing means obtains the first to predetermined frame data from the first storage unit in the same device, so that it takes less time than the case through the communication network. You can get it.

  The browsing means acquires the remaining frame data from the external server device while displaying the images corresponding to the first to predetermined frame data, and the image corresponding to the predetermined frame data. After the display is completed, an image corresponding to the remaining frame data acquired from the server device may be displayed.

  As a result, the time until the browsing means displays the moving image can be shortened, and the information processing apparatus does not need to store all large-capacity frame data constituting the moving image.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention displays the plurality of images sequentially on the setting screen, and image data indicating each of the plurality of images is the partial data. Among the plurality of images, the first storage unit stores image data of images to be displayed from the first to a predetermined number, and the second storage unit stores image data of the remaining images.

  According to the above configuration, the browsing means acquires the image data of the images to be displayed from the first to the predetermined number from the first storage unit in the same device for the plurality of images that are sequentially displayed. It can be acquired in a short time compared to the case of using.

  Then, the browsing means acquires the remaining images from the external server device while displaying the first to predetermined images, and acquires from the server device after the display of the predetermined image is completed. The remaining images may be displayed.

  As a result, it is possible to shorten the time until the browsing means sequentially displays a plurality of images, and the information processing apparatus does not need to store the image data of all the images.

  Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the setting screen data is preferably data corresponding to a setting screen for sequentially displaying icons corresponding to a plurality of printing functions.

  When creating a printer driver that displays a setting screen for sequentially displaying icons corresponding to a plurality of printing functions, a great amount of time is required. However, in the present invention, the setting screen data constituting the setting screen is stored in the storage unit, and the setting screen display processing is performed by the browsing means outside the print control means. Therefore, even when the setting screen is changed, it is not necessary to edit the printer driver, and it is only necessary to edit the setting screen data stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention stores the setting screen data for each user, and the instruction unit identifies the user who has input the setting screen display instruction. And it is preferable to make the said browsing means acquire the setting screen data corresponding to the specified user.

  According to said structure, the user can utilize the setting screen suitable for self. Alternatively, the administrator can set a print function that can be used for each person and can change the setting screen for each person. Thereby, the administrator can prevent each person from using the printing function without permission. For example, when only a specific person is permitted to use color printing, a setting screen in which the color printing function cannot be set can be displayed for a person other than the specific person.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention stores the setting screen data for each application, and the instruction unit specifies the application that created the image to be printed, It is preferable that the browsing means acquire setting screen data corresponding to the identified application.

  According to said structure, the user can utilize the setting screen suitable for the application which produced the image to print.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus of the present invention stores the setting screen data for each information processing apparatus, and the instruction unit sets the corresponding information processing apparatus. It is preferable to cause the browsing means to acquire screen data.

  According to said structure, a setting screen can be changed for every information processing apparatus. As a result, for example, when the use of color printing is granted only to an information processing apparatus owned by a specific department, a setting that cannot set the color printing function for an information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus A screen can be displayed.

  The server device of the present invention is a server device capable of communicating with the information processing device via a communication network, acquires detailed conditions of each printing function set by the browsing means, And determining means for determining whether or not there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the detailed conditions of each acquired printing function, based on the function restriction table that indicates a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other. The browsing means displays the determination result of the determining means on the display device.

  According to said structure, a determination means determines whether the combination of the detailed conditions which are mutually compatible among the acquired detailed conditions of each printing function exists. And the said browsing means displays the determination result of the said determination means on a display apparatus. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not detailed conditions that are mutually compatible among the set printing conditions are set. If detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other are set, the setting can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error from occurring when performing the printing process.

  In addition, since the server device includes the determination unit, the server device can collectively determine whether there are combinations of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other. As a result, the processing burden on the information processing apparatus that can communicate with the server apparatus can be reduced. Further, when changing the processing content of the determination means (for example, when updating the function restriction table), it is only necessary to change the determination means of the server device.

  The print control system of the present invention is a print control system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus that can communicate with each other via a communication network. The information processing apparatus acquires data from a resource, The server device includes browsing means for displaying an image indicated by the data on a display device and print control means for controlling print processing, and the server device stores setting screen data corresponding to a setting screen for setting printing conditions. The print control unit instructs the browsing unit to acquire the setting screen data from the server device and to display the setting screen indicated by the acquired setting screen data on a display device. Means.

  According to the above configuration, the print control unit only instructs the external browsing unit to perform the setting screen display process based on the setting screen data stored in the storage unit.

  For this reason, the printer driver only needs to incorporate a program that defines the operation performed by the instruction means, and does not need to incorporate a program that defines the setting screen display process. As a result, it is not necessary to edit the printer driver itself when changing the setting screen.

  When changing the setting screen, it is only necessary to change the setting screen data stored in the server device. In addition, by changing the setting screen data of the server device, it is possible to change the setting screen displayed on all information processing devices that acquire the setting screen data from the server device. That is, the setting screen displayed on each information processing apparatus can be changed all at once.

  The information processing apparatus or server apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a printer driver program that causes the information processing apparatus to be realized by the computer by operating the computer as the print control unit and a computer-readable recording medium that records the printer driver program also fall within the scope of the present invention. Further, a program for causing a server device to be realized by a computer by operating the computer as the determination means, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the print control unit causes the browsing unit to store the setting screen data from the storage unit that stores the setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing conditions. And instruction means for instructing the display device to display the setting screen based on the acquired setting screen data.

  For this reason, the printer driver only needs to incorporate a program that defines the operation performed by the instruction means, and does not need to incorporate a program that defines the setting screen display process. As a result, it is not necessary to edit the printer driver itself when changing the setting screen. Therefore, the setting screen can be easily changed.

  Also, setting screens of various display formats can be displayed by appropriately selecting browsing means designated by the instruction means.

  The setting screen is displayed by browsing means based on the setting screen data. Therefore, when changing the setting screen, it is only necessary to edit the setting screen data stored in the storage unit, and there is no need to edit the browsing means itself. Thereby, the setting screen can be changed more easily.

  In general, corresponding to the browsing means, there is an editing means for editing data that can be displayed by the browsing means. As a result, the user can easily edit the setting screen data by the editing means.

Embodiment 1
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The printing control system according to the present invention is configured to display a setting screen for prompting the user to set printing conditions using existing browsing software outside the printer driver.

  In the present embodiment, the print control system is provided in one personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer 1 and its peripheral devices according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer (information processing device) 1 is connected to a display device 2 such as a liquid crystal display, an input device 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a printer 4.

  The personal computer 1 creates an image file in accordance with a user operation, and sets printing conditions for printing an image corresponding to the image file with the printer 4. Further, the personal computer 1 processes the image file into print data corresponding to the printer 4 in accordance with the set printing conditions, and generates a processing command in the printer. Then, the personal computer 1 outputs a print job including the generated print data and a processing instruction to the printer 4.

  The printing condition is determined by setting detailed conditions for each of a plurality of printing functions.

  Examples of printing functions include paper size, number of copies, single-sided / double-sided printing, 180 degree rotation, and the like. The detailed conditions are, for example, “A4”, “A3”, “postcard” in the case of the paper size selection function, and “single-sided printing”, “double-sided (vertical binding)”, “double-sided” in the case of the single-sided / double-sided printing function. (Horizontal binding) "" Saddle binding ", etc. In the case of a special printing function, the detailed condition includes a condition that the corresponding printing function is not used. For example, the detailed condition in the case of the function “rotate 180 degrees” includes “not used” and “used”.

(Internal configuration of PC)
The personal computer 1 includes an application unit 11, a UI (user interface) processing unit (instruction unit) 12, a print setting processing unit 13, a browser (browsing unit) 14, a request receiving unit (RAPS: Resource Access Protocol Server) 15, a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) processing unit 16, content management unit (storage unit) 17, print function restriction table storage unit 18, print condition storage unit 19, and print job generation unit (print job generation unit) 20. The print setting processing unit 13 includes an activation processing unit 13a, a function restriction determination unit (determination unit) 13b, and a setting completion notification unit 13c.

  In the present embodiment, the UI processing unit 12, the print setting processing unit 13, and the print job generation unit 20 constitute a printer driver unit (print control unit) 21.

  The application unit 11 is an application that generates an image file corresponding to an image to be printed by the printer 4. When the application unit 11 receives a print condition setting start instruction from the user in the printer 4, the application unit 11 outputs a start instruction to the start processing unit 13 a of the print setting processing unit 13. Upon receiving the print condition setting completion notification, the application unit 11 outputs the generated image file to the print job generation unit 20.

  The activation processing unit 13 a of the print setting processing unit 13 activates the UI processing unit 12 when receiving an activation instruction from the application unit 11.

  The UI processing unit 12 performs display processing of a setting screen for setting printing conditions (that is, detailed conditions for each printing function). However, the UI processing unit 12 displays only the setting screen window and requests the browser 14 outside the printer driver unit 21 to display the setting screen in the window. That is, the UI processing unit 12 designates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to data managed by the content management unit 17 (which is setting screen data described later), and starts the browser 14.

  The content management unit 17 manages setting screen data corresponding to a setting screen for setting printing conditions in the printer 4. The setting screen data is data that can be viewed by the browser 14 (for example, data described in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), moving image data created by software for creating moving images (for example, “Flash”), etc.). It is configured. The setting screen data is not limited to a setting screen including a moving image, and may be a setting screen only for a still image.

  The browser 14 is a functional block realized by existing software that browses data in the HTML format and the moving image data, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU executes processing according to the software of the Web browser. In the present embodiment, the browser 14 is a Web browser software (for example, Internet Explorer of Microsoft Corporation) for browsing data described in HTML, and plug-in software (for example, a flash) for displaying a moving image on the Web browser. Processing according to a player (Flash Player) is performed.

  In recent years, such a browser 14 is usually provided in an information processing apparatus such as a general-purpose personal computer.

  The browser 14 requests the setting screen data corresponding to the URL specified by the UI processing unit 12 to the request receiving unit 15 and acquires the setting screen data. Then, the browser 14 displays a setting screen corresponding to the acquired setting screen data in the setting screen window displayed by the UI processing unit 12.

  When there is a user input on the setting screen, the browser 14 performs a process corresponding to the input according to a program described in the setting screen data.

  For example, when an icon corresponding to the print function is clicked, the browser 14 displays a dialog box for setting detailed conditions of the print function based on the script information described in the data corresponding to the icon. .

  In addition, when the change of the detailed condition of the print function is input to the input device 3, the browser 14 changes the XML format including the identification information (for example, the print function name) of the print function and the input detailed condition. Information is generated and transmitted to the request receiving unit 15.

  In addition, when a setting completion instruction is input to the input device 3, the browser 15 generates setting completion information in XML format indicating that the setting is completed, and transmits the setting completion information to the request reception unit 15.

  The request reception unit 15 receives a request from the browser 14 and causes the CGI processing unit 16 to start predetermined processing in response to the request. Further, the request receiving unit 15 has a function of outputting the processing result of the CGI processing unit 16 to the browser 14.

  The CGI processing unit 16 executes processing in response to a request from the browser 14.

  Specifically, when receiving a request for data specified by a URL from the browser 14, the request receiving unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 acquires data from the address indicated by the URL and outputs the data to the request receiving unit 15. The request receiving unit 15 returns the data received from the CGI processing unit 16 to the browser 14.

  Further, when receiving the change information from the browser 14, the request reception unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 sends a determination request to which the print function name and the detailed condition indicated by the change information are added to the function restriction determination unit 13b of the print setting processing unit 13, so that the print function of the detailed condition is a function that has been set. Requests to determine whether or not both are compatible. Thereafter, the CGI processing unit 16 generates determination result information in XML format indicating the determination result in the print setting processing unit 13, and the request reception unit 15 sends the determination result information to the browser 14.

  Further, when receiving the setting completion information from the browser 14, the request receiving unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 notifies the setting completion notification unit 13 c of the print setting processing unit 13 of setting completion.

  The printing condition storage unit 19 stores detailed conditions for each printing function. At the time of activation, the printing condition storage unit 19 stores default detailed conditions for each printing function. The detailed conditions stored in the printing condition storage unit 19 are updated by the function restriction determination unit 13b.

  The print function restriction table storage unit 18 stores a table indicating combinations of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among a plurality of print functions.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a table showing combinations of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other between the function “paper size selection function” and the function “single side / double side setting function”. In FIG. 2, when the detailed condition indicated as “Y” is set, these two printing functions are compatible with each other. When the detailed condition corresponding to the blank is set, they are not compatible with each other. It is shown that.

  When receiving a determination request from the CGI processing unit 16, the function restriction determination unit 13 b of the print setting processing unit 13 displays all the print function restriction tables corresponding to the print function names added to the determination request. Read from the restriction table storage unit 18. The function restriction determination unit 13b refers to the read print function restriction table and the detailed conditions of each print function stored in the print condition storage unit 19, and details of the print function added to the determination request. It is determined whether there is a print function in which detailed conditions that are mutually incompatible with the conditions are set. The function restriction determination unit 13b notifies the CGI processing unit 16 of the determination result.

  When there is no compatible print function, the function restriction determination unit 13b adds the detailed condition stored in the print condition storage unit 19 to the determination request for the print function added to the determination request. Update to detailed conditions.

  When the setting completion notification unit 13c of the print setting processing unit 13 receives the notification of the setting completion from the CGI processing unit 16, the UI processing unit 12 ends the setting screen display process and the application unit 11 completes the setting. Make a notification.

  The print job generation unit 20 generates a print job based on the image file received from the application unit 11 and the print conditions stored in the print condition storage unit, and outputs the print job to the printer 4.

(Overall print condition setting process)
Next, the overall flow of the print condition setting process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the application unit 11 detects that a print condition setting start instruction has been input to the input device 3 (for example, a press of a print setting button), and notifies the activation processing unit 13 a of the print setting processing unit 13. The start instruction is output (S1a).

  Upon receiving the activation instruction from the application unit 11, the activation processing unit 13a outputs an activation notification to the UI processing unit 12 (S2b).

  Next, the UI processing unit 12 that has received the activation notification displays only the setting screen window on the display device 2 (S3e).

  Then, the UI processing unit 12 requests the existing browser 14 outside the printer driver unit 21 to display the setting screen in the setting screen window. That is, the UI processing unit 12 designates a URL corresponding to the setting screen data managed by the content management unit 17 and activates the browser 14 (S4e).

  FIG. 5 shows a screen when the browser 14 is activated in the setting screen window displayed on the display device 2 by the UI processing unit 12 (at this point, since the browser 14 does not have data to be displayed, a blank screen is displayed. Is displayed).

  Next, the browser 14 requests the request reception unit (RAPS) to call the setting screen data corresponding to the URL received from the UI processing unit 12 (S5d).

  The request reception unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16 in response to a request from the browser 14. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 acquires setting screen data corresponding to the URL designated from the browser 14. That is, the CGI processing unit 16 reads the setting screen data from the content management unit 17 (S6c).

  Then, the request reception unit 15 sends the setting screen data acquired by the CGI processing unit 16 to the browser 14 that is the request source (S7c).

  Thereafter, the browser 14 displays the setting screen in the setting screen window displayed by the UI processing unit 12 based on the setting screen data received from the request receiving unit 15 (S8d).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the setting screen window after the processing of S8d. As shown in FIG. 6, the browser 14 displays a setting screen for setting the printing conditions of the printer 4 in the setting screen window. The setting screen corresponds to setting screen data stored in the content management unit 17.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the setting screen sets basic functions frequently used by the user (here, the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, N-UP printing, monochrome printing). And an area B in which icons I corresponding to functions (extended functions) other than the basic function are sequentially displayed while being moved in a predetermined direction (for example, from right to left). In the present embodiment, the icon I is a moving image and is created with moving image data. The setting screen data includes detailed conditions set by default. The setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next, the browser 14 determines whether or not the detailed condition of any printing function is changed on the setting screen (S9d).

  For example, in the case of the setting screen as shown in FIG. 6, has the browser 14 entered detailed conditions different from those set by default using the detailed condition input keys / buttons 51 a to 51 e displayed in the area A for the basic function? Judge whether or not.

  Alternatively, when any of the icons I displayed in the region B (see FIG. 6) is clicked, the browser 14 changes the icon I based on the script information described in the data corresponding to the icon I. Displays a dialog box for entering detailed conditions for the corresponding print function. FIG. 7 shows an example of the setting screen when the dialog box 52 is displayed. Then, the browser 14 determines whether or not a detailed condition different from that set by default is input in the dialog box 52 and the input completion button (OK button 52a in FIG. 7) is clicked.

  If the detailed condition is not changed for any printing function (No in S9d), the process proceeds to S17d.

  On the other hand, when the detailed condition of any print function is changed (Yes in S9d), the browser 14 changes the XML format change information including the name of the print function (print function name) and the changed detailed condition. And the change information is sent to the request receiving unit 15 (S10d).

  Upon receiving the change information, the request receiving unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 sends a determination request to which the print function name and the detailed condition indicated by the change information are added to the function restriction determination unit 13b of the print setting processing unit 13, and the print function of the detailed condition is another print function. To determine whether or not both are compatible (S11c).

  Thereafter, the function restriction determination unit 13b performs a determination process as to whether or not the detailed conditions of the print function indicated by the change information are compatible with other print functions (S12b). At this time, when compatible with other printing functions, the function restriction determination unit 13 b stores the detailed conditions of the printing function received from the CGI processing unit 16 in the printing condition storage unit 19. Details of the determination process will be described later. Then, the function restriction determination unit 13b notifies the determination result to the CGI processing unit 16 (S13b).

  Next, the CGI processing unit 16 generates determination result information in XML format indicating the determination result received from the function restriction determination unit 13b (S14c). Then, the request reception unit 15 sends the determination result information to the browser 14 (S15c).

  Thereafter, the browser 14 performs processing according to the determination result indicated by the determination result information. That is, when the determination result information indicates that both are compatible, the browser 14 receives the input of the detailed condition changed in S10d. At this time, the browser 14 may display that the changed detailed condition can be set.

  If the determination result information indicates that compatibility is not possible, the browser 14 does not accept the change of the detailed condition, displays that the user is incompatible with other printing functions, and prompts the user to change the setting.

  Thereafter, the browser 14 determines whether or not a setting completion button (OK button 53 shown in FIG. 6) has been clicked (S17d). If the setting completion button is not clicked (No in S17d), the process returns to S9d.

  On the other hand, when the setting completion button is clicked (Yes in S17d), the browser 14 generates setting completion information in XML format indicating that the setting is completed, and sends the generated setting completion information to the request reception unit 15 (S18d). ).

  Upon receiving the setting completion information, the request receiving unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. The CGI processing unit 16 then notifies the setting completion notification unit 13c of the print setting processing unit 13 of setting completion (S19c). Then, the setting completion notification unit 13c receives a setting completion notification (S20b).

  Thereafter, the setting completion notification unit 13c sends an end instruction to the UI processing unit 12 (S21b). Upon receiving this, the UI processing unit 12 ends the display of the setting screen window (S22e).

  Also, the setting completion notification unit 13c notifies the application unit 11 of setting completion (S23b). In response, the application unit 11 outputs an image file to be printed to the print job generation unit 20 (S24a). As a result, the print job generation unit 20 generates a print job based on the image file and the print conditions stored in the print condition storage unit 19, and outputs the generated print job to the printer 4. The printer 4 performs a printing process corresponding to the print job.

(Judgment processing for compatibility with other printing functions)
Next, details of the determination process shown in S12b will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the function restriction determination unit 13b reads a print function restriction table corresponding to the print function added to the determination request (that is, the print function whose detailed condition has been changed) from the print function restriction table storage unit 18 (S31b).

  For example, when the print function is “paper size”, the function restriction determination unit 13b includes all print function restriction tables (for example, the table shown in FIG. 2) of “paper size” and other print functions. read out.

  Thereafter, the function restriction determination unit 13b determines whether there is a print function that is incompatible with the print function for which the detailed condition is set based on the read print function restriction table and the detailed condition added to the determination request. Is determined (S32b).

  For example, when the detailed condition added to the determination request is “A3” of the print function “paper size” and “saddle stitch” is already set as the print function “single side / double side print”, the function restriction determination unit 13b. , With reference to the table shown in FIG. 2, the detailed condition “A3” of the print function “paper size” added to the determination request, and the print function “single-sided / double-sided print” in which “saddle stitch” is set. Is determined to be incompatible.

  If there is no incompatible printing function (No in S32b), the function restriction determination unit 13b updates the printing condition storage unit 19 based on the detailed conditions of the changed printing function received from the CGI processing unit 16 (S33b). ). Thereafter, the function restriction determination unit 13b generates a determination result indicating that there is no incompatible print function (S34b), and ends the determination process.

  On the other hand, when there is an incompatible print function (Yes in S32b), the function restriction determination unit 13b is incompatible with other print functions for the print function added to the determination request, and therefore the detailed condition added to the determination request Is generated (S35b), and the determination process is terminated.

  As described above, the personal computer 1 acquires data from the internal resources of the personal computer 1, displays the screen corresponding to the data on the display device 2, and the printer that controls the printing process. The information processing apparatus includes a driver unit (printing control unit) 21.

  Then, the printer driver unit 21 acquires the setting screen data from the content management unit (storage unit) 17 that stores the setting screen data indicating the setting screen for setting the printing conditions for the browser 14. A UI processing unit (instruction means) 12 is provided for instructing the display device 2 to display the setting screen based on the setting screen data.

  According to this, the printer driver unit 21 only instructs the external browser 14 to perform setting screen display processing based on the setting screen data stored in the content management unit 17.

  For this reason, the printer driver that operates the printer driver unit 21 only needs to incorporate a program that defines the operation performed by the UI processing unit 12 regarding the display processing of the setting screen, and incorporates a program that defines the display processing of the setting screen. There is no need. As a result, it is not necessary to edit the printer driver itself when changing the setting screen.

  The browser 14 may be set according to the content of the setting screen. For example, when the setting screen includes only a still image, the UI processing unit 12 may instruct a browser that operates according to software capable of displaying a still image. In addition, when the setting screen includes a still image and a moving image, the instruction means includes a browser that operates according to software that can display a still image and a browser that operates according to software that can display a movie (or a still image). The browser may be instructed to operate in accordance with software capable of displaying images and videos. In this way, setting screens of various display formats can be displayed by appropriately selecting the browser 14.

  The setting screen is displayed by the browser 14 based on the setting screen data. Therefore, when changing the setting screen, it is only necessary to edit the setting screen data stored in the content management unit 17, and it is not necessary to change the program itself for operating the browser 14. Thereby, the setting screen can be changed more easily.

  In general, there is an editing unit corresponding to the browser 14 for editing data that can be displayed by the browser 14. As a result, the user can easily edit the setting screen data by the editing means. For example, in the case where the browser 14 is a functional block realized by execution of software of a web browser by a calculation means such as a CPU, data created in a format viewable by the web browser creates a web page. It can be easily edited (customized) using general-purpose software.

  Further, the browser 14 sets and outputs printing conditions based on user input on the setting screen. The printer driver unit 21 includes a print job generation unit (print job generation unit) 20 that generates a print job based on the printing conditions set by the browser 14.

  As a result, the printer driver unit 21 does not need to perform print condition setting processing. In other words, it is not necessary to incorporate a program for defining print condition setting processing into the printer driver, and the printer driver can be simplified.

  Furthermore, the function restriction determination unit (determination unit) 13b of the printer driver unit 21 acquires detailed conditions for each print function set by the browser 14, and prints indicating combinations of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the plurality of print functions. Based on the function restriction table, it is determined whether there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the acquired detailed conditions of each printing function, and the browser 14 displays the determination result on the display device 2. .

  Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not detailed conditions that are mutually compatible among the set printing conditions are set. If detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other are set, the setting can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error from occurring when performing the printing process.

  The content management unit 17 is provided in the personal computer 1. Thereby, the browser 14 can acquire the setting screen data from the content management unit 17 in the same device. As a result, the time required for the browser 14 to acquire the setting screen data can be shortened compared to the case where the setting screen data is acquired via the communication network. That is, the time until the setting screen is displayed can be shortened.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the processing performed by the personal computer in the first embodiment is performed by a server that is an external device of the personal computer. Specifically, the server manages the setting screen data.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer (information processing apparatus) 101 and a server (server apparatus) 6 that constitute the print control system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of personal computers 101 (101-A, 101-B,...) And the server 6 perform information communication bidirectionally via a communication network. In FIG. 9, the display device 2, the input device 3, and the printer 4 are not shown, but these are connected to each personal computer 101. The printer 4 may be connected to the personal computer 101 via a communication network.

  The server 6 includes a request reception unit (RAPS: Resource Access Protocol Server) 65, a CGI processing unit 66, and a content management unit (storage unit) 17.

  The request receiving unit 65 and the CGI processing unit 66 perform predetermined processing in response to a request from the browser 14 of the personal computer 101, similarly to the request receiving unit 15 and the CGI processing unit 16.

  Specifically, when receiving a request for data specified by a URL from the personal computer 101 via the communication network, the request receiving unit 65 activates the CGI processing unit 66. Then, the CGI processing unit 66 acquires setting screen data corresponding to the URL from the content management unit 17 and outputs the setting screen data to the request reception unit 65. The request reception unit 65 returns the setting screen data received from the CGI processing unit 66 to the personal computer 101 that is the request source. The request receiving unit 65 transmits the setting screen data using HTTP.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the personal computer 101 of the present embodiment is different from the personal computer 1 in that the content management unit 17 is not provided.

  Note that the UI processing unit (instruction means) 12 in this embodiment specifies a URL corresponding to the setting screen data managed by the content management unit 17 of the server 6 when the browser 14 is activated. Different.

  Thereby, the browser 14 requests the setting screen data designated by the URL from the server 6 via the communication network, and acquires the setting screen data. Other processes in the browser 14 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the browser 14 sends the change information and the setting completion information to the request reception unit 15 in the personal computer 101.

  The flow of the print condition setting process in this embodiment is almost the same as the flowchart shown in FIGS.

  However, in S <b> 4 e, the UI processing unit 12 specifies a URL corresponding to setting screen data managed by the content management unit 17 of the server 6 and activates the browser 14.

  In S <b> 5 d, the browser 14 requests setting screen data from the request reception unit 65 of the server 6 in accordance with the URL received from the UI processing unit 112.

  In S <b> 6 c, the CGI processing unit 66 of the server 6 reads setting screen data corresponding to the URL from the content management unit 17. In S <b> 7 c, the request reception unit 65 of the server 6 returns the setting screen data read by the CGI processing unit 66 to the requesting personal computer 101.

  Thereafter, in S <b> 8 d, the browser 14 of the personal computer 101 displays a setting screen based on the setting screen data returned from the server 6.

  In S5d to S8d, communication between the personal computer 101 and the server 6 is performed using HTTP via a communication network.

  Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the personal computer 101 acquires data from resources external to the personal computer 101, displays the screen corresponding to the data on the display device 2, and the printer driver unit 21 that controls the printing process. Is an information processing apparatus. Then, the printer driver unit 21 acquires the setting screen data from the content management unit 17 that stores the setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing conditions for the browser 14, and the acquired setting screen data And a UI processing unit 12 for instructing the display device 2 to display the setting screen. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, the setting screen can be easily changed.

  In the present embodiment, the content management unit 17 is provided in the external server device 6. Thereby, the personal computer 101 does not need to store the setting screen data. Further, the setting screens displayed on all the personal computers 101 (101-A, 101-B,...) That acquire the setting screen data from the server device 6 simply by changing the setting screen data stored in the server device 6 are displayed. It becomes possible to change. That is, the setting screen displayed on each personal computer 101 can be changed at once.

[Embodiment 3]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the first and second embodiments, the personal computer includes the print setting processing unit 13. However, the print setting processing unit 13 may be provided in a server that is an external device of the personal computer. In the present embodiment, the server manages the setting screen data as in the second embodiment, and includes a print setting processing unit 13.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 201 and the server 206 that constitute the print control system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of personal computers (information processing devices) 201 (201-A, 201-B,...) And a server (server device) 206 perform information communication bidirectionally via a communication network. Do. Although not illustrated in FIG. 10, each personal computer 201 is connected to the display device 2, the input device 3, and the printer 4 as in FIG. 1. The printer 4 may be connected to the personal computer 201 via a communication network.

  The server 206 includes a request receiving unit (RAPS) 65, a CGI processing unit 66, a print setting processing unit 213, the content management unit 17, and the print function restriction table storage unit 18. Further, the server 206 includes a printing condition storage unit 69. The print setting processing unit 213 includes an activation processing unit 213a, a function restriction determination unit (determination unit) 213b, and a setting completion notification unit 213c, and constitutes a printer driver unit 61.

  The request receiving unit 65 and the CGI processing unit 66 have the same functions as the request receiving unit 15 and the CGI processing unit 16 included in the personal computer 1 of the first embodiment.

  However, the request accepting unit 65 exchanges information with the browser 14 of the personal computer 201 via the communication network as compared with the request accepting unit 15 to obtain information (here, request for setting screen data, change information, setting (Completion information) is different in that the personal computer 201 is specified. The other is the same.

  In addition, the CGI processing unit 66, when compared with the CGI processing unit 16 of the first embodiment, makes PC identification information that identifies the personal computer 201 that transmitted the change information when making a determination request to the function restriction determination unit 213b. It differs in that it is sent to the function restriction determination unit 213b. Similarly, when the CGI processing unit 66 notifies the setting completion notification unit 213c of the setting completion compared with the CGI processing unit 16 of the first embodiment, the CGI processing unit 66 identifies the personal computer 201 that transmitted the setting completion information. The difference is that the identification information is sent to the setting completion notification unit 213c.

  The printing condition storage unit 69 stores the set printing conditions in the same manner as the printing condition storage unit 19. However, the printing condition storage unit 69 stores the printing conditions for each personal computer 201. The printing conditions stored in the printing condition storage unit 69 are updated by the function restriction determination unit 213b.

  The activation processing unit 213a has the same function as the activation processing unit 13a. However, the activation processing unit 213a receives an activation instruction from the application unit 11 of each personal computer 201 via the communication network and activates the UI processing unit 12 of the personal computer 201, as compared to the activation processing unit 13a. Different.

  For example, the personal computer 201 includes a communication unit (not shown), and the communication unit and the activation processing unit 213a can always communicate with each other via a communication network. And the starting process part 213a has always received the starting instruction | indication from the application part 11 of each personal computer 201 via a communication means and a communication network. When the activation instruction is received, the activation processor 213a returns an activation instruction for the UI processor 12 to the communication unit of the personal computer 201 that has output the activation instruction. On the other hand, the communication unit outputs the activation instruction received from the activation processing unit 213a to the UI processing unit 12.

  The function restriction determination unit 213b has a function similar to the function restriction determination unit 13b. However, when the function restriction determination unit 213b updates the printing conditions stored in the print setting storage unit 69 based on the determination request from the CGI processing unit 66, as compared with the function restriction determination unit 13b, the function restriction determination unit 213b The difference is that the printing conditions corresponding to the personal computer 201 specified by the PC identification information received from the CGI processing unit 66 are updated.

  The setting completion notification unit 213c has the same function as the setting completion notification unit 13c. However, the setting completion notification unit 213c compares the setting completion notification unit 213c with the UI processing unit 12 of the personal computer 201 specified by the PC identification information received from the CGI processing unit 66 via the communication network. This is different in that an instruction to end the setting screen display process is sent and a setting completion notification is sent to the application unit 11 of the personal computer 201.

  For example, the personal computer 201 includes a communication unit (not shown), and the communication unit and the setting completion notification unit 213c can always communicate with each other via a communication network. Then, the setting completion communication rib 213c sends, to the communication means of the personal computer 201 specified by the PC identification information, an instruction to end the setting screen display process and a setting completion notification via the communication network. On the other hand, the communication means may send the instruction to the UI processing unit 12 when receiving an instruction to end the display processing of the setting screen, and send the notification to the application unit 11 when receiving the setting completion notification. The instruction transmission / reception method from the setting completion notification unit 213c to the UI processing unit 12 and the setting completion notification method from the setting completion notification unit 213c to the UI processing unit 12 are not limited thereto.

  On the other hand, the personal computer 201 includes the application unit 11, the printer driver unit 221 including the UI processing unit 12 and the print job generation unit 20, the browser 14, the rewrite processing unit 22, and the printing condition storage unit 19. Is provided.

  Note that the UI processing unit 12 in the present embodiment designates a URL corresponding to setting screen data managed by the content management unit 17 of the server 206 when the browser 14 is activated, as in the second embodiment.

  The rewrite processing unit 22 reads out the printing conditions corresponding to its own personal computer 201 from the printing conditions stored in the printing condition storage unit 69 of the server 206 via the communication network, and has the same contents as the read printing conditions. Thus, the printing condition storage unit 19 provided in the personal computer 201 is rewritten. The rewrite processing unit 22 accesses the print condition storage unit 69 of the server 206 at all times (or at regular intervals). As a result, the printing conditions stored in the printing condition storage unit 19 of the personal computer 201 and the printing conditions for the personal computer 201 stored in the printing condition storage bar 69 of the server 206 always have the same contents.

  The flow of the print condition setting process in this embodiment is almost the same as the flowchart shown in FIGS.

  However, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points.

  In S <b> 4 e, the UI processing unit 12 designates a URL corresponding to setting screen data managed by the content management unit 17 of the server 6 and activates the browser 14.

  In S <b> 5 d, the browser 14 requests setting screen data from the request receiving unit 65 of the server 6 in accordance with the URL received from the UI processing unit 12.

  In S <b> 6 c, the CGI processing unit 66 of the server 6 reads setting screen data corresponding to the URL from the content management unit 17. In S7c, the request receiving unit 65 of the server 6 returns the setting screen data read by the CGI processing unit 66 to the requesting personal computer 201.

  Thereafter, in S <b> 8 d, the browser 14 of the personal computer 201 displays a setting screen based on the setting screen data returned from the server 206.

  In S <b> 10 d, the browser 14 of the personal computer 201 sends the change information in XML format to the request reception unit 65 of the server 6.

  In S11c, the CGI processing unit 66 makes a determination request to the function restriction determination unit 213b and transmits PC identification information that identifies the personal computer 201 that has transmitted the change information. Thereafter, S12b, S13b, and S14c are performed by the function restriction determination unit 213b of the server 206.

  In S15c, the request reception unit 65 sends determination result information to the browser 14 of the personal computer 201 that has transmitted the change information via the communication network. At this time, the request reception unit 65 transmits the determination result information using HTTP.

  In S <b> 18 d, the browser 14 of the personal computer 201 sends the setting completion information in XML format to the request reception unit 65 of the server 6.

  In step S19c, the CGI processing unit 66 notifies the setting completion notification unit 213c of setting completion and transmits PC identification information for specifying the personal computer 201 that transmitted the setting completion information.

  Thereafter, the setting completion notification unit 213c instructs the UI processing unit 12 of the personal computer 201 specified by the PC identification information in S21b to end the display. In S23b, the setting completion notification unit 213c instructs the application unit 11 of the personal computer 201. , Set completion notification.

  Note that communication between the personal computer 201 and the server 206 is performed using HTTP via a communication network.

  In addition, the rewrite processing unit 22 of the personal computer 201 always accesses the print condition storage unit 69 of the server 206 (or at regular intervals). The rewrite processing unit 22 reads out the print conditions corresponding to the personal computer 201 from the print conditions stored in the print condition storage unit 69 and rewrites the print condition storage unit 19 based on the read print conditions. ing.

  The printer driver unit 221 of the present embodiment described above acquires the setting screen data from the content management unit 17 that stores the setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing conditions for the browser 14. A UI processing unit 12 is provided for instructing the display device 2 to display the setting screen based on the set screen data. The content management unit 17 is provided in the external server device 6.

  Furthermore, the server device 206 acquires detailed conditions for each printing function set by the browser 14 and acquires each printing function based on a printing function restriction table indicating combinations of detailed conditions that are mutually incompatible among a plurality of printing functions. Among the detailed conditions, a function restriction determination unit (determination unit) 213b that determines whether or not there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other and causes the browser 14 to display the determination result on the display device 2 is provided.

  Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not detailed conditions that are mutually compatible among the set printing conditions are set. If detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other are set, the setting can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error from occurring when performing the printing process.

  In addition, since the server device 206 includes the function restriction determination unit 213b, the server device 206 can collectively determine whether there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other. That is, the processing load on the personal computer 201 can be reduced.

[Embodiment 4]
It will be as follows if other embodiment of this invention is described based on FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In Embodiments 2 and 3 described above, the browser of the personal computer acquires the setting screen data from the server. In this embodiment, the setting screen data is composed of a plurality of partial data, a personal computer manages a part of the plurality of partial data, and the server manages the remaining partial data. Then, the browser of the personal computer acquires some partial data from within the personal computer and acquires the remaining partial data from the server. Thereby, since the browser acquires some partial data without going through the communication network, the display speed of the setting screen can be improved.

  For example, if the setting screen is a moving image that changes with the passage of time, the personal computer manages the partial data constituting the setting screen displayed within the first predetermined time, and the setting screen displayed after the predetermined time has passed. It is preferable that the server manages the partial data to be configured. Thereby, immediately after starting, the browser can acquire partial data managed by the personal computer without going through the communication network, and can immediately display the setting screen for a predetermined time. And the browser should just acquire the remaining partial data from a server via the communication network within the said predetermined time.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 301 and the server 306 that constitute the print control system of the present embodiment.

  The personal computer (information processing apparatus) 301 is different from the personal computer 101 of the second embodiment in that it includes a startup content management unit (first storage unit) 23.

  The startup content management unit 23 manages partial data (hereinafter referred to as startup screen configuration data) that configures a setting screen that is initially displayed within a predetermined time among a plurality of partial data that configures the setting screen data. It is. The startup screen configuration data includes a URL corresponding to the remaining partial data (hereinafter referred to as “remaining partial data”) that configures the setting screen displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Note that the UI processing unit (instruction unit) 12 of the present embodiment designates a URL corresponding to the startup screen configuration data managed by the startup content management unit 23 as the URL when starting the browser 14.

  The server 306 is different from the server 6 of the second embodiment in that a content management unit (second storage unit) 317 is provided instead of the content management unit 17. The content management unit 317 manages the remaining data.

(Print condition setting process)
The outline of the print condition setting process in this embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment. However, the details of the setting screen display processing are different from those of the second embodiment. That is, this embodiment performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the above S1a, SS2b, S3e, and S4e are performed. However, in S4e, the UI processing unit 12 activates the browser 14 by specifying a URL indicating the activation screen configuration data managed by the activation content management unit 23.

  Thereafter, the browser 14 sends a request for transmission of startup screen configuration data corresponding to the URL to the request reception unit 15 of the personal computer 301 (S105d).

  When receiving the transmission request, the request receiving unit 15 activates the CGI processing unit 16. Then, the CGI processing unit 16 reads the startup screen configuration data from the startup content management unit 23 based on the URL specified by the browser 14 (S106c).

  Then, the request reception unit 15 sends the startup screen configuration data read by the CGI processing unit 16 to the browser 14 (S107c). In response to this, the browser 14 acquires startup screen configuration data (S108d).

  Thereafter, the browser 14 displays the setting screen for the first predetermined time based on the startup screen configuration data (S109d).

  Further, in parallel with S109d, the browser 14 sends a request for transmission of the remaining portion data specified by the URL included in the startup screen configuration data to the request reception unit 65 of the server 306 (S110d).

  When receiving the transmission request, the request receiving unit 65 of the server 306 activates the CGI processing unit 66. Then, the CGI processing unit 66 reads the remaining data from the content management unit 317 based on the URL specified from the browser 14 (S111c).

  Then, the request reception unit 65 transmits the remaining partial data read by the CGI processing unit 66 to the browser 14 via the communication network (S112c). In response to this, the browser 14 acquires the remaining data (S113d).

  Thereafter, the browser 14 continues to display the setting screen based on the remaining portion data after the first predetermined time has elapsed based on the startup screen configuration data (S114d).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting screen data is composed of a plurality of partial data, and the startup content management unit (first storage unit) 23 of the personal computer 301 stores a part of the plurality of partial data. The content management unit (second storage unit) 317 of the server 306 stores the remaining partial data. The browser 14 acquires partial data from the startup content management unit 23 and the content management unit 317, and displays a setting screen based on the acquired partial data.

  That is, the UI processing unit 12 acquires, from the browser 14, a partial data constituting the setting screen data from the startup content management unit 23 in the same device, and the remaining partial data is obtained from the external server 306. From the content management unit 317.

  As a result, the personal computer 301 does not need to store all of the setting screen data. Furthermore, by making the partial data stored in the startup content management unit 23 larger in capacity than the partial data stored in the content management unit 317, the browser 14 can acquire the partial data having a large capacity without going through the communication network. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for obtaining the setting screen data.

  In the above description, the present embodiment has been described as a modified form of the second embodiment. However, the present embodiment can also be applied to a form in which the server includes a print setting processing unit as in the third embodiment.

  Examples of the present embodiment will be described below. In the following setting screen in the present embodiment, as in FIG. 6, the icons corresponding to the printing functions are sequentially moved in a predetermined direction (for example, from right to left) in a predetermined area B in the setting screen. It is what is displayed.

<Example 1>
In the present embodiment, among the above icons, icon data (icon data) corresponding to an icon I-2 displayed in a predetermined position (here, second) from the icon I-1 displayed first on the setting screen. D-1 and icon data D-2) and data corresponding to an area other than the area B in the setting screen are set as start-up screen configuration data. And the icon data (it will be referred to as icon data (3), ...) corresponding to the icon I-3, ... displayed after the 3rd in the area B of the setting screen is set as remaining data.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the area B of the setting screen according to the present embodiment, and a transition of acquisition of the start screen configuration data and the remaining portion data.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the browser 14 is activated in response to the activation instruction from the UI processing unit 12, the browser 14 receives the startup content management unit in the personal computer 301 via the request reception unit 15 and the CGI processing unit 16. 23, the startup screen configuration data (region data excluding region B, and data of icons I-1 and I-2) read out. At this time, the server 306 manages the data of the icons I-3,.

  Then, the browser 14 displays the icon I-1 to be displayed first from the right end of the region B and moves it to the left. The browser 14 performs the moving display process according to the program described in the startup screen configuration data.

  At this time, the browser 14 sends a transmission request for the icon data D-3 of the icon I-3 to be displayed third to the request reception unit 65 of the server 306, and downloads the icon data D-3 from the server 306. To do.

  Thereafter, the browser 14 displays the icon I-2 to be displayed second from the right end of the region B when the icon I-1 is moved to a predetermined position in the region B, and moves it to the left. The movement display process is the same as that of the icon I-1.

  At this time, the browser 14 sends a transmission request for the icon data D-4 of the icon I-4 to be displayed fourth to the request reception unit 65 of the server 306, and downloads the icon data D-4 from the server 306. To do.

  In this way, the browser 14 displays the icons while moving them in the region B based on the acquired icon data, and repeats the process of downloading icon data that has not yet been acquired from the server 306.

  As described above, the setting screen of the present embodiment sequentially displays a plurality of icons, and for the plurality of icons, the startup content management unit 23 of the personal computer 301 starts from the first to a predetermined number (here, the second). ) Is stored, and the content management unit 317 of the server 306 stores the icon data of the remaining icons.

  Thereby, since the browser 14 acquires the icon data of the icon displayed by the 1st and 2nd from the starting time content management part 23 in the same apparatus, it can acquire in a short time compared with the case via a communication network. .

  The browser 14 acquires the remaining images from the external server 306 while displaying the first and second icons, and acquires them from the server 306 after the display of the second icon is completed. The remaining icons can be displayed.

  As a result, the time until the browser 14 sequentially displays a plurality of icons can be shortened, and the personal computer 301 does not need to store the icon data of all icons.

<Example 2>
In this embodiment, the icon I displayed in the area B is a moving image. That is, the icon data is moving image data, and the moving image data is divided into first half data corresponding to the first half frame and second half data corresponding to the second half frame.

  In this embodiment, the first half of the moving image data of each icon and the data corresponding to the area other than the area B in the setting screen are set as the start screen configuration data. The second half data of the moving image data of each icon is set as the remaining data.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the browser 14 of the personal computer 301 uses the first half of the moving image of each icon based on the first half data included in the startup screen configuration data managed by the startup content management unit 23 of the personal computer 301. Is displayed. Then, while displaying the first half part, the browser 14 sends a request for transmission of the second half data corresponding to the second half part to the request reception unit 65 of the server 306, and downloads the second half data from the server 306. .

  Thereafter, when the display of the first half portion of each icon is completed, the browser 14 displays the second half portion based on the second half data downloaded from the server 306.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the browser 14 of the personal computer 301 displays the first half of each icon based on the first half data read from the startup content management unit 23 in the personal computer 301. Then, the browser 14 displays the second half portion after the display of the first half portion is completed based on the second half data downloaded from the server 306 during the display of the first half portion.

  As described above, the setting screen of the second embodiment includes a moving image, and the start-up content management unit 23 of the personal computer 306 performs frame data from the first to a predetermined number of frame data indicating the moving image. The content management unit 317 of the server 306 stores the remaining frame data.

  Thereby, since the browser 14 acquires the first to predetermined frame data from the startup content management unit 23 in the same device, the browser 14 can acquire the frame data in a shorter time compared to the case through the communication network.

  The browser 14 acquires the remaining frame data from the external server 306 while displaying the images corresponding to the first to predetermined frame data, and the image corresponding to the predetermined frame data. After the display is completed, an image corresponding to the remaining frame data acquired from the server 306 may be displayed.

  As a result, the time until the browser 14 displays the moving image can be shortened, and the personal computer 301 does not need to store all large-capacity frame data constituting the moving image.

  In the first and second embodiments, the display process in the browser 14 and the download process from the server 6 are performed according to the programs described in the startup screen configuration data and the remaining data.

  As described above, the startup content management unit 23 in the personal computer 301 manages startup screen configuration data corresponding to the setting screen displayed for the first predetermined time. Therefore, the browser 14 in the personal computer 301 can immediately acquire the startup screen configuration data without going through the communication network. As a result, the time from when the browser 14 is activated until the setting screen is displayed can be shortened.

  Further, the browser 14 downloads the remaining data for the setting screen displayed after the predetermined time from the server 306 in parallel while displaying the setting screen based on the startup screen configuration data. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to manage all the partial data constituting the setting screen data in the personal computer 301. In other words, the personal computer 301 can reduce the capacity of the storage unit necessary for managing the setting screen data.

[Modification]
(Modification of the management form of the content management unit)
In the first to third embodiments, the content management unit 17 may manage setting screen data for each user. At this time, the UI processing unit 12 specifies a login user, specifies a URL including the specified login user name, and activates the browser 14. Then, the CGI processing unit that receives the transmission request from the browser 14 may read the setting screen data corresponding to the login user name indicated in the URL from the content management unit 17.

  Similarly, in the first to third embodiments, the content management unit 17 may manage setting screen data for each application. At this time, the UI processing unit 12 identifies the application that has output the activation instruction to the activation processing unit 13a, specifies a URL including information (for example, application name) for identifying the identified application, and activates the browser 14. . Then, the CGI processing unit that has received the transmission request from the browser 14 may read the setting screen data corresponding to the application name indicated in the URL from the content management unit 17.

  In the second and third embodiments, the content management unit 17 may manage setting screen data for each personal computer. At this time, the UI processing unit 12 activates the browser 14 by designating a URL including information (for example, ID) for identifying its own personal computer. Then, the CGI processing unit that has received the transmission request from the browser 14 may read the setting screen data corresponding to the ID indicated in the URL from the content management unit 17.

  Note that similar modifications may be applied to the fourth embodiment.

(Customize setting screen data)
The personal computers 1, 101, 201, 301 or the servers 6, 206, and 306 include an editing unit (not shown) for editing data managed by the content management unit 17 317 and the startup content management unit 23. Also good.

  As described above, the setting screen data (including start-up screen configuration data and remaining portion data) is described in HTML so that it can be browsed by an existing browser 14 (for example, a Web browser). Therefore, the setting screen can be easily customized by editing the setting screen data which is HTML data.

  The editing unit edits the setting screen data using a Web (homepage) creation application that has existed conventionally.

  For example, the administrator can create a common setting screen in the department for the setting screen data managed by the server 6, or each person can create an original setting screen. When the setting screen is repeatedly displayed sequentially while moving the icons corresponding to the printing functions as shown in FIG. 6, the user can change the number and order of the icons, and the size of the area B in which the icons are displayed. The setting screen can be customized by changing the size, changing basic functions (number of copies, double-sided), editing icon images, and so on.

(Modified example of determination processing for compatibility with other printing functions)
A modification of the determination process shown in S12b will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of determination processing according to the modification.

  First, the same processing as S31b to S32b is performed. When there is no compatible printing function (No in S32b), the same processing as S33b and S34b is performed.

  On the other hand, when there is an incompatible print function (Yes in S32b), the function restriction determination unit 13b / 213b prints the print function added to the determination request from the CGI processing unit 16/66 and the print function incompatible with the detailed condition. Is specified (S36b).

  Then, the function restriction determination units 13b and 213b generate a determination result indicating that the detailed condition of the specified print function needs to be changed (S37b).

  As a result, the browser 14 displays the determination result, so that the user can set the detailed condition of the printing function input immediately before the display by changing the detailed condition of which printing function. I can recognize that.

(Other)
In the above description, the browser 14 is configured to output change information to the request receiving units 15 and 65 each time a detailed condition of a certain printing function is input. However, when the setting completion button (OK button 53 in FIG. 6) is clicked, the browser 14 sends the detailed conditions of all the printing functions to the request receiving units 15 and 65, and the function restriction determination units 13b and 213b It may be determined whether there are printing functions that are incompatible with each other.

  When there are few types of print functions and there are no (or few) combinations of print functions that are not compatible with each other, the print setting system of each embodiment may not include the function restriction determination units 13b and 213b. In this case, when the setting completion button (OK button 53 in FIG. 6) is clicked, the browser 14 sends detailed conditions for all print functions via the request receiving units 15 and 65 and the CGI processing units 16 and 66. And sent to the setting completion notification units 13c and 213c. Then, the setting completion notification units 13c and 213c may store the acquired detailed conditions of all the printing functions in the printing condition storage units 19 and 69. Alternatively, the setting completion notification units 13c and 213c may notify the application unit 11 of the detailed conditions of all the acquired print functions.

  In the above description, the browser 14 is a block that performs processing according to Web browser software. However, the browser 14 is not limited to a web browser. The browser 14 may be any browsing means that allows the UI processing unit 12 to request the display of the setting screen. The browser 14 acquires data from a personal computer or a resource on the network and causes the display device 3 to display an image indicated by the data. If it is.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the personal computers 1, 101, 201, and 301, particularly the printer driver units 21 and 321, and each block of the servers 6, 206, and 306, particularly the printer driver unit 61 of the server 206, is configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the personal computers 1, 101, 201, 301 and servers 6, 206, 306 have a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program (printer driver) that realizes each function, and a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, and a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control programs of the personal computers 1, 101, 201, 301 and servers 6, 206, 306, which are software for realizing the functions described above. Is supplied to the personal computer 1, 101, 201, 301 and the servers 6, 206, 306, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) is recorded on the recording medium. This can also be achieved by reading out and executing.

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the personal computers 1, 101, 201, 301 and the servers 6, 206, 306 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention can be applied to a printer driver that sets printer printing conditions.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer and peripheral devices thereof according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing function restriction | limiting table which the printing function restriction | limiting table memory | storage part with which the said personal computer is stored. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display process of a printing setting screen among the setting processes of printing conditions. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process after a print setting screen display among the print condition setting processes. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print setting window immediately after browser activation. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which the browser displayed on the print setting window. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the dialog box which prompts the input of detailed conditions when an icon is clicked. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the determination process of the compatibility determination between the printing functions in a function restriction | limiting determination part. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting system according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print setting screen display process according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen in Example 1 of Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a setting screen in Example 2 of Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the modification of the determination process of the compatibility determination between the printing functions in a function restriction | limiting determination part.

Explanation of symbols

1, 101, 201, 301 Personal computer (information processing equipment)
2 Display device 3 Input device 4 Printer 6, 206, 306 Server (server device)
11 Application unit 12 UI processing unit (instruction means)
13.213 Print Setting Processing Units 13a, 213a Activation Processing Units 13b, 213b Function Restriction Determination Unit (Determination Unit)
14 Browser (browsing means)
17 Content management unit (storage unit)
18 Print Function Restriction Table Storage Unit 19 Print Condition Storage Unit 20 Print Job Generation Unit (Print Job Generation Unit)
21.221 Printer driver unit 23 Start-up content management unit (first storage unit)
317 Content management unit (second storage unit)

Claims (12)

In an information processing apparatus comprising: browsing means for acquiring data from a resource and displaying an image indicated by the data on a display device according to a Web browser; and print control means for controlling print processing.
The print control unit acquires the setting screen data from the storage unit that stores setting screen data corresponding to the setting screen for setting the printing condition for the browsing unit, and the setting indicated by the acquired setting screen data Instructing means to instruct the display device to display the screen ,
The browsing means sets printing conditions based on user input to the setting screen,
The print control means includes a print job generation means for generating a print job based on the print conditions set by the browsing means,
The setting screen data is composed of multiple partial data.
The storage unit includes a first storage unit that stores a part of the plurality of partial data, and a second storage unit that stores the remaining partial data.
An information processing apparatus comprising the first storage unit, wherein the second storage unit is provided in an external server device. The browsing means sets detailed conditions for each of a plurality of printing functions based on user input to the setting screen,
The print control means includes
The detailed conditions of each printing function set by the browsing means are acquired, and based on the function restriction table indicating the combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the plurality of printing functions, A determination means for determining whether there is a combination of detailed conditions incompatible with each other,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the browsing unit displays the determination result of the determination unit on the display device. The above setting screen contains moving images,
Each of a plurality of frame data indicating the moving image is the partial data,
Among the plurality of frame data, according to claim 1, the frame data up to a predetermined position from the first storing first storage unit above, characterized in that the remaining frame data to the second storage unit is storing The information processing apparatus described in 1. The above setting screen displays multiple images in sequence,
The image data indicating each of the plurality of images is the partial data,
Among the plurality of images, the first storage unit stores image data of images displayed from the first to a predetermined number, and the second storage unit stores image data of the remaining images. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen data is data corresponding to a setting screen for sequentially displaying icons corresponding to a plurality of printing functions. The storage unit stores setting screen data for each user,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit specifies a user who has input a setting screen display instruction, and causes the browsing unit to acquire setting screen data corresponding to the specified user. The storage unit stores setting screen data for each application,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit specifies an application that created an image to be printed, and causes the browsing unit to acquire setting screen data corresponding to the specified application. The second storage unit stores setting screen data for each information processing device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instruction unit causes the browsing unit to acquire setting screen data corresponding to the information processing apparatus of the instruction unit. A server device capable of communicating with the information processing device according to claim 1 via a communication network,
The detailed condition of each printing function set by the browsing means is acquired, and based on the function restriction table indicating the combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other among the plurality of printing functions, A determination means for determining whether there is a combination of detailed conditions that are incompatible with each other;
The determination unit causes the browsing unit to display a determination result on a display device. A program for operating a computer of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for causing the computer to function as the print control means. A program for operating the server device according to claim 9 for causing a computer to function as the determination unit. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10 or 11 .

Images